10 , Mardi Gras Facts .<br />1, The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), gold (power) and green (faith).<br />2, Mardi Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday because it’s the last day to indulge before Lent, a 40 day fasting period.<br />3, Mobile, Alabama, was the first place in the United States to celebrate Mardi Gras.<br />4. , The first Mardi Gras parade in <br />New Orleans was in 1837.<br />5, The Carnival season starts on<br />January 6 and ends on Mardi Gras.<br />6. , Mardi Gras is a state holiday in Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.<br />7. , It is illegal to ride on a <br />float without a mask.<br />8. , If you find a small plastic baby inside your slice of king cake, you have to buy the cake or host the party next year.<br />9, Parades and floats are organized by social groups known as krewes.<br />10. , Aside from beads, each krewe <br />has a signature "throw," such <br />as hand-painted coconuts
